East Coasters Cycling Double Header

East Coasters' Cycling Double Header takes place every year on Memorial Day weekend (the last weekend in May). Two different rides explore different parts of southwest Virginia's New River Valley.

• Wilderness Road Ride (WRR) on Saturday offers four different courses for riders of all abilities, and is popular with families.

• Mountains of Misery (MoM) on Sunday has century and double metric century options, for those seeking a challenge on par with Mt. Mitchell, or the Markleeville Death Ride.

Many riders do both WRR and MoM.

Register now for 2008!

Please use the links at the upper left of this page to register online, or download a mail-in registration form.

As of May 6, over 450 riders have registered for MoM. With 500 spots available there's still some space left, but we do believe MoM will sell out. So, register now! Prices are up after May 1:

Ride	Before May 1	After May 1
MoM	$65.00	$95.00
WRR single	$20.00	$30.00
WRR family	$40.00	$50.00
MoM & WRR	$75.00	$105.00

There is currently no limit to the number of riders for Wilderness Road Ride. It will not sell out. So come and ride, whether you've registered ahead of time or not.

New Venues

Registration and packet pickup this year will be at the brand new Marriott Courtyard in Blacksburg. As you come off the 460 Bypass onto South Main St. toward Blacksburg, the Courtyard is immediately on your left. Marriott is offering cyclists a special room rate of $94.00+tax. Just mention "Cycling Double Header" or "Mountains of Misery" when you call to make your reservation, at (540)552-5222.

Update: we've learned that the Marriott is full, but the Inn at Virginia Tech is offering us a special rate of $89.00 daily. Call (540)231-8000 or (877)200-3360, and ask for the Cycling Double Header rate.

The event dinner will be held at Awful Arthur's in Blacksburg. They're in Kent Square, the big building with the parking garage in downtown Blacksburg. Please don't try to drive into the garage with bikes on top of your car!

Minor Ride Changes

Wilderness Road Ride will have a new start-finish area, but it's just down the road from our usual start at the Dedmon Center. For 2008, we're dropping the 78 mile course, but adding a 38 mile course. For details, see the Wilderness Road Ride page.

Mountains of Misery continues without changes to the courses, but we'll have a new starting procedure, with 4 waves instead of 3. For details, see the Mountains of Misery page.

2008 Event Schedule

Friday, May 23

5:00-9:00 PM: registration and packet pick-up at the Marriott Courtyard in Blacksburg.

Saturday, May 24

6:30 AM: Wilderness Road Ride start-finish area opens for registration

7:00-9:00 AM: "show and go" start for Wilderness Road Ride. Those riding the longer routes are advised to start before 7:45 AM

3:00-8:00 PM: Mountains of Misery packet pick-up and late registration at Marriott Courtyard in Blacksburg

5:00-7:00 PM: pasta dinner at Awful Arthur's in downtown Blacksburg, with a free Mountains of Misery rider information session following dinner

Sunday, May 25

6:00-6:45 AM: last minute registration and packet pickup at the Mountains of Misery start at the Newport Recreation Center

7:00 AM: first wave, licensed racers and former license holders only

7:10 AM: 2nd wave, Century under 6.5 hours, Double Metric under 8.5 hours

7:15 AM: 3rd wave, Century 6.5-8.5 hours, Double Metric over 8 hours

7:20 AM: 4th and final wave, Century over 8 hours

Comments from last year's riders:

"I have riden my bike all over the world and this ride and the setting are the best." —Frank Giannini

"I have done many organized rides and the Mountains of Misery is the best ride I ever have done." —Mark Stichel

"This may be the best ride I do all year. The combination of the scenery, support, and a challenging mountain top finish in short proximity to the starting line makes this ride hard to beat." —Greg Ellis

"The beauty of the rivers, fields, valleys and mountains with the friendliness of everyone in the New River area is the raspberry on the cream." —Mariette Vanderzon

"...the most outstanding scenery ever." —Carlene Elswick

"All in all, a great ride. It has always been worth the trip from Columbus, Ohio to participate." —Greg DuBois

"Well supported, friendly volunteers and a well managed event made for a memorable weekend." —Dan Cassidy

"What a great event! Challenging to the max, and support to match. Kudos to the volunteers; the rest stops were fantastic. Gatorade, fresh oranges, even potatoes & salt at the start of Johns Creek — and a cheering section at the top." —Ray Reed

"MoM is the best run and supported ride I have ever been on. From the unmissable road markings and the eleven rest stops to seeing a SAG vehicle every five minutes, your volunteers did a tremendous job! They were so good, they made the double metric seem easy!" —Brian Wade

"Boy what a challenge!! Since I finished that, I feel I can accomplish anything!!! Awesome sights, awesome descents, awesome people all around..." —John Teigeiro

"I am doing the Mt. Mitchell ride in two weeks. It will feel like a recovery ride after this!" —Carl Wakefield

"A special thank you goes to the encouraging guy in the support vehicle playing Bruce Springsteen during the last 1.5 miles, and those at the last rest stop! Job well, well done!" —Tim Baldwin

"Great rest stops — well timed and well stocked. Next time I'll know I don't need to carry much food on me during the ride." —Chris DeFalco

"You and all the volunteers really run a first class event. This was my 2nd time doing the double and without doubt the course is the most challenging I have ever done and that includes the Death Ride in California. The pitches of the climbs are almost cruel but the scenery and beauty of the area takes some of the pain away." —Don MacIntyre

"Wow! What a ride. The volunteers are the absolute best I have ever encountered in any event! They were supportive, helpful and encouraging. And what a memorable way to get married! We laughed, we cried (okay I cried) and we argued (sometimes loudly), but we made it; even rode up that last climb. Thanks for letting us get married at the end of this ride. We knew it would be symbolic of married life, we didn't know it would be all of the intense moments of married life condensed into one 9 hour ride! We had an epic, amazing adventure together." —Missy Patterson

"My favorite part was at the end. Having your name called out as you crossed the line was great and energizing. Then after crossing, having 2 people help you, one offering to hold your bike while you got your bearings, and another bringing you your bag, was terrific. Believe me, being completely cross-eyed upon completing, I need all the help I could get. Then, of course, were the burgers..." —Tom Schmidt

"...by the end of the week, I'll be excitedly planning my 2008 training for this event — funny how quickly us cyclists forget, isn't it? At any rate, MoM is hands down my favorite century ride and I cannot thank you and the volunteers enough for the excellent job you did in putting this event together. Great job." —Vernon Hall

You Forget the Pain

Kathy Rohr rides on to finish the 2004 Mountains of Misery despite a nasty fall, and stopping to help rescue a stuck van. Mark Taylor of the Roanoke Times tells the story.